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College Professors on How to Be More Creative
Learn to be more creative, insightful, and inspired from top-tier instructors.
Published on December 19, 2021
The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact
Chip HeathAt Stanford’s School of Business, organizational behavior expert Heath teaches his students how to make ideas and moments stick. Now, he’s teaching readers the same lesson. Learn to harness four key elements that solidify experiences in your mind as meaningful memories. This book is filled with fascinating information and plenty of inspiration.
The Art of Memoir
Mary KarrEverybody has a story to tell. Drawing insight from the real world and the lecture hall, renowned memoirist Karr (“The Liars’ Club,” “Cherry,” “Lit”) helps you tell yours in the most engaging way possible. Karr’s teaching style at Syracuse has been as highly praised as her prose, which means this book is one of the best writing tutors around.
inGenius: A Crash Course on Creativity
Tina SeeligIt sounds counterintuitive, but there are concrete steps to being more creative. Seelig synthesizes some of her best teachings at Stanford into this “crash course on creativity.” It’s usually assigned to aspiring entrepreneurs, but anyone could put these tips on how to think outside the box and be more innovative to good use.
A Place of My Own: The Architecture of Daydreams
Michael PollanOn the surface, this story chronicles a writer’s journey to build his own studio. But just as “The Botany of Desire” isn’t merely about plants, “A Place of My Own” goes beyond construction. True to form, Pollan connects deeper meaning to tangible experiences, ultimately revealing how the natural world (and our own blood, sweat, and tears) inspires creativity. We’re confident his students at the UC Berkeley School of Journalism find ample inspiration in his lessons, as will you.
Writing into the Wound: Understanding trauma, truth, and language
Roxane GayTrauma is a common inspiration for creative endeavors. Gay’s personal trauma has shaped her life and work, including her 2017 memoir about her sexual assault, “Hunger.” In this Scribd Original, Gay, who lectures on women, gender, and sexuality at Yale, unpacks the aftermath of “Hunger,” exploring the public reaction that reopened her wounds. The result is a skillful guide to sharing, processing, and healing from trauma through creative exercises like writing.
Out of Our Minds: Learning to be Creative
Ken RobinsonThe late Robinson (author, former professor of the arts, and the most viewed speaker in TED Talk history) is best known for discussing how schools often fail to cultivate creativity in students. “Out of Our Minds” delves deeper into how we can systematically promote creativity in the classroom and the boardroom. A great lesson not just for parents, but also for anyone who wants to foster a more creative, insightful society.
On Writing Well, 30th Anniversary Edition: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction
William ZinsserYou don’t have to go back to school to polish up your writing skills. The late Zinsser offers the definitive guide on nonfiction writing, inspired by his years at Yale and his respected work for numerous publications. Learn to avoid common writing pitfalls with Zinsser’s thorough and elegantly-put advice.
The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction
Neil GaimanProlific writer and professor at Bard College, Gaiman (“American Gods,” “Stardust,” and many more) offers nonfiction essays in “The View from the Cheap Seats.” Topics range from art to politics to fellow writers, but each essay stokes the imagination and makes a compelling case for creativity.
The Listening Path: The Creative Art of Attention (A 6-Week Artist's Way Program)
Julia CameronIf your creative well is running dry, “The Listening Path” may be just the inspiration you need. Learn how to be still, listen, and find the clarity that will fuel your art. It may be a stretch to call Cameron a professor — though she’s taught many courses on writing and creativity — nonetheless, this program is a worthy education for artists.